SMEC to Upgrade High-Traffic Bridge in Melbourne, Australia

This project will involve the widening of Shepherds Bridge to accommodate the 40,000 vehicles and 1,000 cyclists using the bridge daily.

SMEC, in association with Fulton Hogan and Cox Architecture, has secured the Design and Construct (D&C) contract for Stage 1 of the West Gate Distributor Project in Melbourne, Australia. Project works will include: the widening of an existing bridge crossing the Maribyrnong River (Shepherds Bridge) from four to six lanes; construction of a new dedicated cycling and walking bridge; conversion of Moreland Street into a four-lane divided road; and installation of new traffic signals at three intersections.

Shepherds Bridge is currently used by more than 40,000 vehicles per day (including 8,000 trucks), and is a critical freight link to the Port of Melbourne. The bridge also forms part of the only off-road bicycle trail between Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) and the western suburbs, attracting more than 1,000 cyclists daily.

SMEC will undertake design of strengthening works on the existing road bridge, structural and geotechnical design of the new pedestrian bridge, and design of road, civil and drainage works. Bridge designs will incorporate steel I-girder beams that provide strong aesthetic links to the area’s surrounding port and industrial facilities.